Various Systems of Yoga

Aspirants have a selection of practices to suit their capabilities and environments.

Many of the wonder-working Yogi and almost all Occidental devotees are practitioners of Hatha (physical) Yoga.

The latter is the basic system because it is concerned with developing those bodily controls from which all else follows.

The other systems differ mainly in the varying emphases placed on the several phases of Yoga practice.

Perhaps the most popular system in India is Bhakti (devotional) Yoga.

This system emphasizes the first two stages of Yoga discipline, that is, self-control and religious observance.

Other important Yogas are Mantra Yoga, which devotes itself to uttering the name of Krishna and other incantations; Karma Yoga, the path of work and service; and Jnana Yoga, the way of intellect.

The synthesis of Bhakti, Karma, and Jnana Yogas is called Raya (royal) Yoga.